Ballast overheating?

[thetuch]

Hello All
I have just purchased a hood for my tank at of all places a garage sale. The ballast is a coralife ballast. My question is it functions fine, however after it is turned on it starts to get warm and after several hours it gets what feels to be too hot. Is this normal? Do ballasts get hot as they function? Thanks for any help

 

[richard rendos]

Perfectly normal for that type of ballast. Some get hot enough to cook an egg on. Remote placement of the ballast from the tank is a must. It won't overheat but can warm the tank up if kept too close.